Pasta Fagioli and Breadsticks

Try not to fall over...I have actually cooked something. Perfect for a cool and rainy day.


Pasta Fagioli
It seems like a lot of ingredients but it comes together pretty quickly.

1 lb. ground beef, turkey or italian sausage
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small onion, chopped
1-2 carrots, chopped
3 ribs celery, chopped
1-28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1-15 oz. can kidney beans
1-15 oz. can white beans
1-15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups V-8 juice
1 T. vinegar
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1 t. oregano
1 t. basil
1 1/2 t. thyme (or just replace all 3 of these with 3 t. italian seasoning)
1/2 lb. ditalini pasta

Brown meat in large stock pot. Add all fresh veggies and saute for 10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients except for pasta. Simmer for 1 hour (or however long you have until dinnertime!). Meanwhile, cook pasta, drain and toss with olive oil. Put soup and pasta together in bowl and top with grated parmesan cheese.



Quick and Easy Breadsticks

1 T. yeast
1 1/2 c. warm water
2T. sugar
1/2 t. salt
3 c. flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Mix and knead all ingredients together for 3 minutes; let rise 10 minutes. Roll gough on floured board (use lots of flour). Cut into strips with pizza cutter. Place on greased baking sheet and brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with seasoned salt or garlic salt and parmesan cheese. Let rise 10 minutes or more. Bake at 375* for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

posted by Kristin L., otherwise known as K. Lyman.